Read the following passage and circle the letter A, B, C, or D to indicate the correct answer to each of the questions

III. Read the following passage and circle the letter A, B, C, or D to indicate the correct answer to each of the questions. (2.0 pts)

                 Many of the most damaging and life-threatening types of weather - torrential rains, severe thunderstorms, and tornadoes - begin quickly, strike suddenly, and dissipate rapidly, devastating small regions while leaving neighboring areas untouched. One such event, a tornado, struck the northeastern section of Edmonton, Alberta, in July 1987. Total damages from the tornado exceeded $ 250 million, the highest ever for any Canadian storm. Conventional computer models of the atmosphere have limited value in predicting short-lived local storms like the Edmonton tornado, because the available weather data are generally not detailed enough to allow computers to detect the subtle atmospheric changes that precede these storms. In most nations, for example, weather balloon observations are taken just once every twelve hours at locations typically separated by hundreds of miles. With such limited data, conventional forecasting models do a much better job predicting general weather conditions over large regions than they do forecasting specific local events.

Until recently, the observation-intensive approach needed for accurate, very short-range forecasts, or "Nowcasts", was not feasible. The cost of equipping and operating many thousands of conventional weather stations was prohibitively high, and the difficulties involved in rapidly collecting and processing the raw weather data from such a network were insurmountable. Fortunately, scientific and technological advances have overcome most of these problems. Radar systems, automated weather instruments, and satellites are all capable of making detailed, nearly continuous observation over large regions at a relatively low cost. Communications satellites can transmit data around the world cheaply and instantaneously, and modern computers can quickly compile and analyzing this large volume of weather information. Meteorologists and computer scientists now work together to design computer programs and video  equipment capable of transforming raw weather data into words, symbols, and vivid graphic displays that forecasters can interpret easily and quickly. As meteorologists have begun using these new technologies in weather forecasting offices, Nowcasting is becoming a reality.

1. What does the passage mainly discuss?

A. Computers and weather    B.Weather forecasting            C. Dangerous storms              D. Satellites

2. Why does the author mention the tornado in Edmonton, Canada?

A. To give an example of a damaging storm.

B. To indicate that tornadoes are common in the summer.

C. To show that tornadoes occur frequently in Canada.

D. To explain different types of weather.

3. The word "subtle" is closest in meaning to………………

A. imagined                             B. regular                                C. slight                                   D. complex

4. Why does the author state that observations are taken "just once every twelve hours"?

A. To indicate that the observations are timely.       

B. To compare data from balloons and computers.

C. To give an example of international cooperation.

D. To show why the observations are of limited value.

5. The word "they" refers to………………

A. regions                                B. models                                C. conditions                           D. events

6. Which of the following is NOT mentioned as an advance in short-range weather forecasting?

A. Weather balloons               B. Radar systems                   C. Automated instruments      D. Satellites

7. With Nowcasting, it first became possible to provide information about………………

A. long-range weather forecasts                                            B. radar networks

C. short-lived local storms                                                      D. general weather conditions

8. The word "raw" is closest in meaning to………………

A. unprocessed                       B. uncooked                           C. stormy                                D. inaccurate

9. With which of the following statements is the author most likely to agree?

A. The observation-intensive approach is no longer useful.

B. Weather predictions are becoming more accurate.

C. Communications satellites can predict severe weather.

D. Meteorologists should standardize computer programs.

10. Which of the following would best illustrate Nowcasting?

A. A five-day forecast                                    

B. The average rainfall for each month

C. A warning about a severe thunderstorm on the radio

D. A list of temperatures in major cities